I should like to share my time with other Deputies from my constituency. Deputy Timmins cannot be present because he has another engagement.
I should like to thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me this time to underline the grave problems which have resulted from a storm which hit the south and east coasts on the night of 16 December last. Since the night of the storm the people in Arklow, Bray, Wicklow and in other villages along the east coast have been living in fear of the return of a similar storm to the one which devastated the north beach in Arklow and put great strain on the esplanade in Bray, thus making it liable to collapse if remedial work is not carried out immediately.
About 200 to 300 people live in the vicinity of the north beach area in Arklow. About £8 million of domestic and industrial property in the area in which about 100 people are employed is threatened by the total collapse of the sand dunes which protect it from the sea. The leisure facilities and car park are also under threat. I was delighted the Minister for the Marine, Deputy John Wilson, visited the area along the Wicklow coast and took note of the problems there. However, I have had to raise this matter on the Adjournment tonight because during the past few days no protection has been afforded to the people living in these areas. Flooding has again occurred and covered the new road leading into the industrial estate in Arklow. At least three factories in that estate have been flooded and this has put into doubt the continued existence of at least two of them. The harbour walls in Arklow are in danger of falling into the sea and this could lead to the closure of the commercial and fishing port there.
As has been indicated to the Minister, the solution to this problem is the provision of 200 metres of rock armoury north of the harbour along the north beach and the carrying out of certain work to the harbour walls. Of course, this is a costly area to repair. Various sections of the Department of the Marine and Wicklow County Council have been considering the provision of money so that the council can carry out these works. The Minister is well aware of the problems in the area. We were very happy he visited the area to see the problems but the people living there are afraid that if the gale turns slightly from the south to the south-east the flooding will wreak havoc on the whole area.
Because there will be a high tide at 11.30 p.m. tonight and there is a force eight gale people are living in considerable fear for their lives and their property. Urgent action needs to be taken. I appeal to the Minister to allow Wicklow County Council to start the remedial work on the rock armoury and to take into account the problems of the Bray esplanade at the same time.
As I said, I want to keep my remarks short so that the other Deputies can get in. However, I want to underline the real urgency of this appeal. This problem cannot wait for a long-term solution; urgent action needs to be taken. Long-term action can take place but it is essential that the sand dunes in the north beach area are replaced with rock armoury and work carried out on the esplanade.